<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Information Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14c-5(d)(2))
/X/ Definitive Information Statement
TCI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TCI
TCI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 8, 2000
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of TCI International, Inc. which will be held at the Sheraton-Sunnyvale, 1100 N.
Mathilda Avenue, Sunnyvale, California at 8:30 a.m. on February 8, 2000 for the
following purposes:
1. To elect three Class I directors to serve until the 2003
Annual Meeting or until their successors have been elected and
qualified;
2. To ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as independent public
accountants for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000; and
3. To act upon such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on December 15,
1999, as the record date for determining those stockholders who will be entitled
to vote at the meeting. The stock transfer books will not be closed between the
record date and the date of the meeting.
Representation of at least a majority of all outstanding shares of
Common Stock of TCI International, Inc. is required to constitute a quorum.
Accordingly, it is important that your shares be represented at the meeting.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. Your proxy may
be revoked at any time prior to the time it is voted.
Please read the proxy material carefully. Your vote is important and
the Company appreciates your cooperation in considering and acting on the
matters presented.
Very truly yours,
/s/JOHN W. BALLARD, III
John W. Ballard, III
President
Sunnyvale, California
January 8, 2000
1
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD READ THE ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT
CAREFULLY PRIOR TO RETURNING THEIR PROXIES
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 8, 2000
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors of TCI International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to
be held at 8:30 a.m. on February 8, 2000 at the Sheraton-Sunnyvale, 1100 N.
Mathilda Avenue, Sunnyvale, California, or at any adjournments or
postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice
of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. TCI International, Inc. is a holding
company which has three operating subsidiaries, Technology for Communications
International ("TCI"), BR Communications and TCI Wireless, Inc. ("TCIW").
Unless the context otherwise indicates, the term "Company" as used herein
refers to TCI International, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. This
Proxy Statement and the proxy card were first mailed to stockholders on or
about January 14, 2000.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION
The close of business on December 15, 1999 was the record date for
stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. As of
that date, TCI International, Inc. had 3,354,312 shares of common stock (the
"Common Stock") issued and outstanding (excluding Treasury Stock held by the
Company). All such shares of the Common Stock outstanding on the record date are
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and stockholders of record entitled to
vote at the meeting will have one (1) vote for each share on the matters to be
voted upon.
Shares of the Common Stock represented by proxies in the accompanying
form, which are properly executed and returned to the Company, will be voted at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in accordance with the stockholders'
instructions contained therein. In the absence of contrary instructions, shares
represented by such proxies will be voted FOR the election of each director as
described herein under "Proposal 1 - Election of Directors" and For ratification
of the selection of accountants as described herein under "Proposal 2
Ratification of Selection of Independent Public Accountants." Management does
not know of any matters to be presented at this Annual Meeting other than those
set forth in this Proxy Statement and the Notice accompanying this Proxy
Statement. If other matters should properly come before the meeting, the proxy
holders will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment. Any
stockholder has the right to revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is
voted by delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written notice of
revocation, by delivery a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by
attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
Assuming a quorum is present, the three nominees for Directors
receiving the greatest number of votes cast at the meeting will be elected. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and entitled to vote at
the meeting is required to ratify the selection of the auditors for the Company.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are each included in the determination of the
number of shares present for quorum purposes. Abstentions are counted in
tabulations of the votes cast on proposals presented to stockholders (other than
the election of Directors), whereas broker non-votes are not counted for
purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved.
The entire cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company.
Proxies will be solicited principally through the use of mail, but, if deemed
desirable, may be solicited personally or by telephone, telegraph or special
letter by officers, and regular Company employees for no additional
compensation. Arrangement may be made with brokerage houses and other
custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy material to the
beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock, and such persons may be
reimbursed for their expenses.
2
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The members of the Board of Directors of TCI International, Inc. are
classified into three classes, one of which is elected at each Annual Meeting
of Stockholders to hold office for a three-year term, or until successors of
such class have been elected and qualified. The nominees for the Board of
Directors are set forth below. Unless otherwise indicated, the proxy holders
intend to vote all proxies received by them in the accompanying form FOR the
nominees for Director listed below. In the event that any nominee is unable
or declines to serve as a Director at the time of the Annual Meeting, the
proxies will be voted for any nominee who shall be designated by the present
Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. In the event that additional persons
are nominated for election as directors, the proxy holders intend to vote all
proxies received by them for the nominees listed below. As of the date of
this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors is not aware of any nominee who
is unable or will decline to serve as a Director.
NOMINEES TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class and Year
Director In which Term
Name Principal Occupation Since Will Expire Age
- ---- -------------------- -------- -------------- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Asaph H. Hall Retired 1992 Class I; 2003 66
E. M. T. Jones Chairman of the Board of TCI International, Inc. 1987 Class I; 2003 75
Slobodan Tkalcevic Vice President of Advanced Development of TCI 1996 Class I; 2003 46
International, Inc.
</TABLE>
Asaph H. Hall, from 1991 to 1994, was Corporate Vice
President-Information Systems and Administrative Services at General Dynamics,
and from 1984 to 1991 was General Manager of General Dynamics Data Systems
Division. Mr. Hall has held various other positions at General Dynamics since
1977. He serves on the Compensation Committee and Audit Committee.
E.M.T. Jones, a founder of TCI, has been Chairman of the Board of the
Company since 1990. From 1985 to 1990, Dr. Jones served as Vice President,
Development of TCI. From 1974 to 1985 he was Executive Vice President of TCI.
From 1968 to 1974 Dr. Jones served as Vice President, Engineering of TCI. He has
been a Director of TCI since 1968 and of the Company since 1987.
Slobodan Tkalcevic joined the Company in 1978. He was named Senior
System Engineer in 1986, became Technical Advisor to General Manager in 1990,
and has served as the Company's Vice President for Advanced Development since
1993.
3
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS NOT STANDING FOR ELECTION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class and Year
In which Term
Name Principal Occupation Will Expire Age
- ---- -------------------- -------------- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Donald C. Cox Professor, Electrical Engineering, Stanford University Class II; 2001 62
C. Alan Peyser President and CEO Emeritus of Cable & Wireless, Inc. Class II; 2001 66
John W. Ballard, III President and CEO of TCI International, Inc. Class III; 2002 41
John L. Anderson President of Celerity Systems, Inc. Class III; 2002 47
</TABLE>
Donald C. Cox, a professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford
University, has held the Harold Trap Friis Professor of Engineering chair since
1993 and is the Director of Stanford's Center for Communications. From 1991 to
1993, he was Executive Director of Radio Research Department, Bellcore. Dr. Cox
is a member of the Compensation Committee.
C. Alan Peyser was the President and CEO of Cable and Wireless, Inc.
from 1993 to 1997. He was the President of Cable and Wireless, Inc. from 1980 to
1993. He has been a Director of Cable and Wireless since 1981. Mr. Peyser also
serves as a Director of Network Imaging, CWI and Spaceworks. Mr. Peyser is a
member of the Audit Committee.
John W. Ballard III joined the Company in 1988 serving in numerous
capacities in the Engineering and Administration Departments of the Information
System Division. In 1990, he was appointed Deputy General Manager and later was
appointed Vice President and General Manager of the Information System Division.
In 1992, he was appointed President of BR Communications. In 1993, he was
appointed Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Vice President
and General Manager of the Company. On October 3, 1998, he was appointed
President and CEO of the Company.
John L. Anderson is the President of Celerity Systems, Inc. He founded
Celerity Systems, Inc. in 1994 and is responsible for product definition and
development. From 1981 to 1994, he was Chief Engineer of New Products Group at
TRW/ESL in Sunnyvale. Mr. Anderson was appointed to the Board on December 16,
1998 as a Class III Director to replace Mr. Hamilton Budge who resigned from the
Board on October 2, 1998. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Compensation
Committee.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors of the Company held a total of five meetings
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999. Each Director attended (during
the period that he served) at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number
of meetings of the Board and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all
committees of the Board on which he served.
The Company has an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors. There is no nominating committee or committee performing the
functions of a nominating committee.
The Audit Committee meets with the Company's financial management and
its independent public accountants and reviews internal control conditions,
audit plans and results, and financial reporting procedures. This Committee,
which currently consists of Messrs. Hall and Peyser, held two meetings during
the Company's last fiscal year.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the Company's
compensation arrangements for key employees. This Committee, which currently
consists of Messrs. Cox, Anderson and Hall, held one meeting during the
Company's last fiscal year.
The Compensation Committee also has responsibility for administering
the Company's 1981 Stock Option Plan with respect to all individuals in the
Company's employ or service, other than the Company's executive officers. The
Board of Directors has responsibility for administering the 1981 Stock Option
Plan with respect to the Company's executive officers.
DIRECTOR REMUNERATION
Each non-employee member of the Board of Directors was paid an annual
retainer fee of $10,800 in fiscal 1999 (prorated quarterly for those directors
serving a portion of the year) and was reimbursed for all out-of-pocket costs
incurred in connection with their attendance at Board meetings. Mr. Hall
received an additional annual retainer fee of $2,700 for his service as Chairman
of the Audit Committee. The Company also pays each non-employee
4
<PAGE>
Director $675 for each Board meeting attended, $450 for each committee meeting
attended that is not held in conjunction with a Board meeting and $225 for each
committee meeting attended that is held in conjunction with a Board meeting.
In addition, each non-employee Board member will receive, over his or
her continued period of Board service, a series of option grants under the 1995
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan"). Each individual
who is first appointed or elected to serve as a non-employee Board member will
automatically receive on the date of his or her initial election or appointment
an option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock, provided such individual
has not previously been in the employ of the Company. Furthermore, each
individual who continues to serve as a non-employee Board member will receive an
option to purchase 6,000 shares of Common Stock at (i) the Annual Stockholders
Meeting held in the calendar year in which occurs the third anniversary of the
grant date of the initial automatic option grant, and (ii) every third Annual
Stockholders Meeting following the Annual Meeting at which the non-employee
Board member received his or her first 6,000-share option grant. Messrs. Budge,
Cox, Hall and Peyser each received a 6,000-share option grant at the 1998 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. John Anderson received an option grant for 10,000
shares in connection with his appointment to the Board of Directors on December
16, 1998. Each option granted under the Director Plan has an exercise price per
share equal to the closing selling price per share of the Company's common stock
on the grant date, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, and the shares
subject to each option will vest as follows: one-third immediately upon grant,
an additional one-third upon the optionee's completion of one year of Board
service measured from the grant date and the remaining one-third upon the
optionee's completion of two years of Board service measured from the grant
date. Each option granted under the Director Plan expires 10 years after
issuance.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of December 15, 1999 by (i) each
person who is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company, (ii) each director, (iii)
each officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table and (iv) all directors and
executive officers as a group. All shares are subject to the named person's sole
voting and investment power except where otherwise indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Percent
More Than 5% Beneficial Owners Beneficially Owned Of Class
- ------------------------------ ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
ROI Capital Management 449,100(3) 13.4%
3018 Willow Pass Road, Ste 210, Concord, Ca. 94519
John W. Ballard 420,512(7) 12.5%
c/o TCI International, Inc.
222 Caspian Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089
TCI International Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan 414,839(1) 12.4%
c/o Charles Schwab Trust Company, Trustee
1 Montgomery Street, 7th Floor., San Francisco, California 94104
Athena Capital Management, Inc. 223,450(4) 6.7%
621 East Germantown Pike, Ste 105
Plymouth Valley, Ca. 19401
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Percent
Beneficial Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors Beneficially Owned Of Class
- -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
E.M.T. Jones 143,823(2) 4.3%
Slobodan Tkalcevic 66,335(2)(6) 2.0%
John W. Ballard III 60,854(2)(6) 1.8%
Mansour Moussavian 40,405(2)(6) 1.2%
Asaph H. Hall 23,250(6) *
5
<PAGE>
John L. Anderson 10,000(6) *
Donald C. Cox 18,000(6) *
C. Alan Peyser 18,000(6) *
Mary Ann W. Alcon 3,370(2)(6) *
All directors and executive officers as a group
(9 persons) (2)(6) 384,037 11.5%
</TABLE>
1) Each of approximately 141 participants in the Company's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan has sole voting power over all shares allocated to his or
her account. The Administrative Committee for the Employee Stock Ownership
Plan has investment power over the assets of the Employee Stock Ownership
Plan, subject to the terms and limitations of such Plan. The Charles Schwab
Trust Company serves as trustee in accordance with the terms of the
Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
2) Includes shares allocated under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan to the
participant's account through September 30, 1999. The shares allocated to
officers and directors under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan totaled
83,907. Such shares are included in the aggregate holdings of the Employee
Stock Ownership Plan (see footnote (1)).
3) ROI Capital Management, Inc., an investment advisor registered under
Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, owns 449,100 shares
according to information contained in its Schedule 13G filed on January 26,
1999.
4) Athena Capital Management, Inc., an investment advisor registered under
Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, owns 223,450 shares
according to information contained in its Schedule 13G filed on February
26, 1999.
5) Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional"), a registered investment
advisor, has advised the Company that Dimensional is deemed to have
beneficial ownership of 164,420 shares of Common Stock, all of which are
held in portfolios of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., a registered
open-end investment company, or DFA Group Trust, an investment vehicle for
qualified employee benefit plans, both of which Dimensional serves as
investment manager. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of all such
shares.
6) Includes shares subject to options which are currently exercisable or will
become exercisable prior to April 30, 2000. The exercisable stock option
shares for officers and directors totaled 215,335.
7) Includes shares allocated under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan to Mr.
John W. Ballard's account through September 30, 1999. The shares allocated
to Mr. John W. Ballard totaled 101,997. Such shares are included in the
aggregate holdings of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (see footnote (1)).
* Percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed 1% of the class so
owned.
6
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or
accrued by the Company for the years ended September 30, 1999, 1998 and 1997 to
the Chief Executive Officer, and the other executive officers of the Company
whose salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 exceeded
$100,000 (the "Named Officers").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
--------------------------- ---------------
Securities
Fiscal Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary(1) Bonus Options/SARs (#) Compensation (2)
- --------------------------- ---- --------- ----- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John W. Ballard III,
President and Chief Executive 1999 $174,571 $10,000 35,000 $8,102
Officer of the Company 1998 148,092 --- --- 7,044
1997 147,610 --- --- 6,627
Slobodan Tkalcevic
Vice President of Advanced 1999 144,169 25,000 35,000 8,012 (3)
Development of the Company 1998 144,105 10,000 --- 7,589
1997 139,538 20,000 --- 6,627
Mary Ann W. Alcon 1999 112,108 17,000 10,000 5,929
Chief Financial Officer 1998 105,297 5,000 --- 5,109
1997 87,926 7,165 --- 4,356
Mansour Moussavian 1999 127,708 15,000 20,000 6,722 (4)
General Manager of the 1998 127,375 5,000 --- 6,269
Broadcast & Communications 1997 120,321 6,899 --- 5,246
Division
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(1) Salary amounts include amounts deferred under the Company's 401(k) Plan
and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
(2) Represents the Company's contribution under the Company's ESOP and
401(k) Plan as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section 401(k) Employee Stock
Plan/Profit Sharing Plan Ownership Plans
------------------------ ---------------
1999 1998 1997 1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John W. Ballard III 8,000 6,778 6,627 102 266 ---
Slobodan Tkalcevic 7,908 7,323 6,627 104 266 ---
Mary Ann W. Alcon 5,855 4,934 4,356 74 175 ---
Mansour Moussavian 6,635 6,059 5,246 87 210 ---
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
(3) Does not include the Company contribution to the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan of $10,000, which will vest if employed by the Company
at age 55.
(4) Does not include the Company contribution to the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan of $5,000, which will vest if the earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is more than $1 million in
any one year in the next three years for the Broadcast & Communications
Division.
STOCK OPTIONS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning stock
options granted in fiscal 1999 under the Company's 1981 Stock Option Plan to the
Named Officers. All four Named Officers received option grants in fiscal year
1999, and no stock appreciation rights ("SARs") were granted during such fiscal
year to any Named Officer. The table also lists potential realizable values of
such options on the basis of assumed annual compounded stock appreciation rates
of 5% and 10% over the life of the options.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Potential Realizable Value at
Percent of Assumed Annual Rates of Stock
Number of Total Options Price Appreciation
Securities Granted to Exercise For Option Term (3)
Underlying Stock Employees in Price Per Expiration -----------------------------
Name Options Granted (1) Fiscal 1999 Share(2) Date 5% 10%
- ---- ------------------- ----------- --------- ---- -- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John W. Ballard, III 35,000 15% $2.125 12/16/05 $30,278 $70,561
Slobodan Tkalcevic 35,000 15% $2.125 12/16/05 $30,278 $70,561
Mary Ann Alcon 10,000 4% $2.125 12/16/05 $8,651 $20,160
Mansour Moussavian 20,000 9% $2.125 12/16/05 $17,302 $40,320
</TABLE>
- ----------------------
(1) The options were granted under the Company's 1981 Stock Option Plan with an
exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of the option shares on
the December 16, 1998 grant date. The options have a maximum term of 7 years
measured from such grant date, subject to earlier termination upon the
optionee's cessation of employment with the Company. The options will become
exercisable for the option shares in three equal and successive annual
installments upon the optionee's continued period of employment with the Company
measured from the grant date. The options will become immediately exercisable
for all the option shares upon acquisition of substantially all the Company's
outstanding stock or assets, unless the options are assumed by the acquiring
entity.
(2) The exercise price may be paid in cash, in shares of Common Stock valued at
fair market value on the exercise date or through a cashless exercise procedure
involving a same-day sale of the purchased shares. The Company may also finance
the option exercise by loaning the optionee sufficient funds to pay the exercise
price for the purchased shares and the federal and state tax liability incurred
in connection with the exercise. The Plan Administrator also has the authority
to reprice outstanding options if the fair market value falls below the exercise
price through the cancellation of those options and the grant of replacement
options with a exercise price equal to the lower fair market value of the option
shares on the regrant date.
(3) The potential realizable value is reported net of the option price, but
before any income taxes associated with exercise. These amounts represent
assumed annual compounded rates of appreciation at 5% and 10% only from the date
of grant to the expiration of the option. There is no assurance provided to any
executive officer or any other holder of the Company's securities that the
actual stock price appreciation over the option term will be at the assumed 5%
and 10% levels or at any other defined level. Unless the market price of the
Common Stock does in fact appreciate over the exercise price over the option
term, no value will be realized from the option grants made to the named
individual.
8
<PAGE>
OPTION/SAR EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS
The following table provides information with respect to the Named
Officers concerning the unexercised options held by such individuals at the end
of the 1999 fiscal year. No stock options or SARs were exercised during the 1999
fiscal year by the Named Officers, nor were any SARs outstanding at the end of
such fiscal year.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FY-END OPTION/SAR VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised In-the-Money
Acquired on Value Options/SARs at FY-End (#) Options/SARs at FY-End (1)
Name Exercise (#) Realized Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ---- ------------ -------- -------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John W. Ballard III None None 67,500/40,000 $10,320/$55,790
Slobodan Tkalcevic None None 60,000/40,000 $6,880/$55,790
Mary Ann W. Alcon None None 10,000/10,000 $3,440/$15,940
Mansour Moussavian None None 41,500/23,000 $4,128/$31,880
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Value based upon the closing selling price of the Company's Common
Stock on September 30, 1999 on the Nasdaq National Market ($3.719 per
share) less the exercise price payable per share.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Company does not presently have any employment contracts in effect
with the Chief Executive Officer or its other executive officers. The shares
subject to outstanding option grants under the Company's 1981 Stock Option Plan
will immediately vest upon an acquisition of the Company, unless the options are
assumed by the acquiring entity.
OFFICER LOAN
In December 1997, the Company loaned Mr. Moussavian, the General
Manager of the Broadcast & Communications Division, $200,000 to assist him in
the purchase of new primary residence. The loan bears interest at the rate of
6.02% per annum, compounded annually, and is currently secured by his former
residence. At such time as Mr. Moussavian sells that former residence, he will
be obligated to secure the loan with a deed of trust on his new residence.
Accrued interest on the loan is payable annually, up to an amount not to exceed
the greater of $10,000 or 50% of the annual bonus paid to Mr. Moussavian for
each year the loan remains outstanding. The entire principal balance, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest, will become payable in full upon the
earlier of (i) December 19, 2002 or (ii) Mr. Moussavian's termination of
employment with the Company. The largest amount outstanding on this loan during
the 1999 fiscal year was $214,501, and as of December 23, 1999, the outstanding
unpaid balance was $204,501.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed
entirely of independent, outside Directors. The Committee is responsible for
reviewing and approving the compensation policies for all employees, including
all officers, whose annual compensation is in excess of $100,000.
The objective of the Compensation Committee is to establish a
comprehensive program for the Company's executive officers which will (i) allow
the Company to attract and retain the services of highly qualified individuals,
(ii) tie executive compensation directly to the Company's business and
performance objectives and (iii) reward outstanding individual performance that
contributes to the Company's growth and long term success.
In general, the compensation package for executive officers is
comprised of three elements: (i) base salary which reflects individual
performance and is designed primarily to be marginally competitive with salary
levels of similarly sized companies both within and without the industry that
compete with the Company for executive talent, (ii) annual variable performance
awards payable in cash and tied to the achievement of performance targets and
(iii) long term stock based incentive awards which create common interests for
the executive officers and the Company's stockholders.
The Compensation Committee annually evaluates the executive officers'
base compensation and bonus eligibility compared with surveyed executive
compensation for similar sized companies and divisions published by the American
Electronics Association. Eligibility for bonuses is generally based on a
weighted evaluation taking into account the overall performance of the Company,
the Compensation Committee's evaluation of each participant's contribution to
such performance, and progress made towards the attainment of long term growth
objectives. The Compensation Committee meets with the Chief Executive Officer to
review his evaluation of the executive officers' performance and eligibility for
bonuses, and then reconvenes without the CEO's presence to evaluate his
performance. The Committee gives a report on its meeting to the full Board of
Directors.
For purposes of the stock price performance graph which appears latter
in this Proxy Statement, the Company has selected the S&P Aerospace/Defense
Index as the industry index. However, in selecting companies to survey for
9
<PAGE>
compensation purposes, the Compensation Committee considered many factors
including geographic location, growth rate, annual revenue and profitability,
and market capitalization. The Compensation Committee also considered companies
outside the industry which may compete with the Company in recruiting executive
talent. For this reason, there was no meaningful correlation between companies
surveyed for compensation data and the companies included in the S&P Aerospace
Index.
The base salary level for the Company's executive officers for fiscal
1999 ranged from the 15th to 60th percentile of the base salary paid by
companies in the peer group survey taken into consideration for comparative
compensation purposes. In December 1998, Messrs. John W. Ballard III, received
an increase of 18% over salary paid in fiscal 1998. Messrs. Slobodan Tkalcevic,
Mansour Moussavian and Ms. Mary Ann W. Alcon salary levels remained the same in
fiscal 1999 as in fiscal 1998.
For fiscal 1999, the Compensation Committee established a bonus pool to
be distributed on a discretionary basis among executives and managers of the
Company and its subsidiaries provided certain financial, marketing and product
development milestones were attained. For fiscal 1999, the Compensation
Committee recommended to the full Board of Directors that Messrs. John W.
Ballard, III, Slobodan Tkalcevic and Mansour Moussavian and Ms. Mary Ann W.
Alcon receive a bonus of $10,000, $25,000, $15,000 and $17,000, respectively.
For fiscal 2000, the Compensation Committee has again established a
bonus pool to be distributed on a discretionary basis among executives and
managers of the Company and its subsidiaries. The basis for distribution of this
pool will be subjective, but is generally tied to the achievement of corporate
and divisional goals as detailed in the Company's most recent strategic plan.
More specifically, these goals relate to progress on new product introduction
efforts and achievement of certain profitability and other financial milestones.
Stock options are considered a component of the total compensation of
officers. All stock option grants made under the 1981 Stock Option Plan to the
Company's executive officers are authorized by the Board of Directors and are
intended to align the interests of each officer-optionee with those of the
stockholders and provide them with a significant incentive to manage the Company
from the prospective of an owner with an equity interest in the success of the
business. The size of the option grant made to each executive officer under the
1981 Plan is based upon that individual's current position with the Company,
internal comparability with option grants made to other Company executives and
the individual's potential for future responsibility and promotion over the
option term. The Board of Directors also takes into account the existing equity
holdings, whether in shares or in vested or unvested stock options, of the
executive officer in determining the appropriate level of equity incentive to
provide for each officer. However, the Board of Directors does not adhere to any
specific guidelines as to the relative option holdings of the Company's
executive officers.
CEO COMPENSATION. In setting the compensation payable to Mr. John W.
Ballard, III, the Company's CEO, for the 1999 fiscal year, the Compensation
Committee has sought to achieve two objectives: (i) establish a level of base
salary competitive with that paid by companies within the industry which are of
comparable size to the Company and by companies outside of the industry with
which the Company competes for executive talent and (ii) make a significant
percentage of the total compensation package contingent upon performance.
The base salary established for Mr. Ballard, III on the basis of the
foregoing criteria is intended to provide him with a level of stability and
certainty each year. However, this element of compensation historically has been
affected to some degree by the Company's profitability. In fiscal 1999, Mr.
Ballard III's salary component of compensation was at the 40th percentile of the
base salary in effect for chief executive officers of the same peer group
companies which were included in the survey reviewed by the Compensation
Committee for comparative compensation purposes.
10
<PAGE>
DEDUCTION LIMIT FOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally disallows a tax deduction to
publicly held corporations for compensation exceeding $1 million paid to certain
executive officers. It is not expected that the compensation to be paid to the
Company's executive officers for fiscal 2000 will exceed the $1 million limit
per officer. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has not at this time
instituted any changes to its compensation policies to take into account the $1
million limitation.
The Compensation Committee The Board of Directors
Donald C. Cox John W. Ballard III
Asaph H. Hall John L. Anderson
John L. Anderson Donald C. Cox
Asaph H. Hall
E.M.T. Jones
Alan C. Peyser
Slobodan Tkalcevic
11
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG COMPANY, S&P 500 INDEX AND S&P AEROSPACE/DEFENSE INDEX
[graphic]
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the
Company's previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that might incorporate future filings of the Company,
including this Proxy Statement in whole or in part, the preceding Performance
Graph and Report of Compensation Committee and Board of Directors shall not be
incorporated by reference into any such filings, nor shall such graph or report
be incorporated by reference into any future filings.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
No member of the Compensation Committee is a former or current officer
or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. However, three members of
the Board of Directors, Messrs. Ballard, III, Tkalcevic and Jones, are executive
officers of the Company. No executive officer of the Company serves as a member
of the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of any entity which has an
executive officer serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or
Compensation Committee.
SECTION 16 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company's
directors, executive officers, and any persons holding more than ten percent of
the Company's Common Stock are required to report their initial ownership of the
Company's Common Stock and any subsequent changes in their ownership to the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Specific due dates have been
established by the SEC, and the Company is required to disclose any failure to
file by those dates. Based upon (i) the copies of Section 16(a) reports that the
Company received from such persons for 1999 fiscal year transactions and (ii)
the written representations received from one or more of such persons that no
annual Form 5 reports were required to be filed for them for the 1999 fiscal
year, the Company believes that there has been compliance with all Section 16(a)
filing requirements applicable to such officers, directors, and ten-percent
beneficial owners for such fiscal year.
12
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of KPMG LLP was selected to serve as independent public
accountants for the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000.
Although the selection of KPMG LLP is not required to be submitted to a vote of
the stockholders, the Board of Directors believes it appropriate as a matter of
policy to request that the stockholders ratify the selection of the independent
public accountants for fiscal 2000. In the event that stockholders fail to
ratify the selection of KPMG LLP, the Board of Directors would reconsider such
selection.
The Company anticipates that a representative of KPMG LLP will be
present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and to make a
statement if the representative desires to do so.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholders proposals intended to be considered at the 2001 Annual
Meeting must be received by the Company no later than September 11, 2000.
Proposals must be mailed to the Company's principal executive offices at 222
Caspian Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089, Attention: Mary Ann Alcon. Such
proposals may be included in next year's Proxy Statement if they comply with
certain rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC.
In addition, the Board of Directors will have discretionary authority
to consider any stockholder proposal for the 2001 Annual Meeting sent to the
Company's principal executive offices later than December 26, 2000.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any matters to be presented at this Annual
Meeting other than those set forth herein and in the Notice accompanying this
Proxy Statement.
It is important that your shares be represented at the meeting,
regardless of the number of shares which you hold. you are, therefore, urged to
promptly execute and return the accompanying proxy in the envelope which has
been enclosed for your convenience. Stockholders who are present at the meeting
may revoke their proxies and vote in person or, if they prefer, may abstain from
voting in person and allow their proxies to be voted.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/JOHN W. BALLARD, III
John W. Ballard, III
President and Chief Executive Officer
January 8, 2000
Sunnyvale, California
13
<PAGE>
TCI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
222 CASPIAN DRIVE, SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA 94089-1014
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints JOHN W. BALLARD, III and E.M.T. JONES,
and each of them, with full power of substitution, the proxy or proxies of the
undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock of TCI International, Inc. which
the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
TCI International, Inc. to be held at the Sheraton-Sunnyvale, 1100 N. Mathilda
Avenue, Sunnyvale, California, on February 8, 2000 at 8:30 a.m., and at any
adjournment or postponements thereof, with the same force and effect as the
undersigned might or could do if personally present thereat:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
[] FOR all the nominees listed below [] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
to vote for all the nominees
(The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR.)
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE STRIKE A LINE
THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S name in the list below
Asaph Hall E. M. T. Jones
Slobodan Tkalcevic
This proxy will be voted in the Election of Directors in the manner
described in the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
2. TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
2000.
[] FOR [] AGAINST [] ABSTAIN
(The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR.)
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE OTHER SIDE)
1
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM THE OTHER SIDE)
3. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH
OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND AT ANY
ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein
by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be
voted FOR Proposals 1 and 2.
DATED: _______________________, 2000
______________________________________
Signature
______________________________________
Signature if held jointly
Please sign exactly as name appears above.
When shares are held by joint tenants, both
should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such.
If a corporation, please sign in full
corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please
sign in partnership name by authorized
person.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
1
